Mia didn’t feel comfortable with Micky doing her bidding for her, but Amber wouldn’t talk to her—at least she didn’t give the impression that she would stoop so low anytime soon—and if Mia was going to function in this community, and in life in general, perhaps something did need to be done. And Micky was a great ally to have.

“Okay. Only Amber, though. Don’t tell Lou about this. If we do ever talk again, I want to be the one to open up to her. I owe her that much.”

“I won’t tell Lou. Chances are she wouldn’t want to hear it, anyway. But Amber is my best friend. She needs to know this. Truth be told, I’m surprised she hasn’t asked you about this.”

“Thank you.” Mia was feeling a little overwhelmed. “I should go now. Leave you to it.”

“Leave me to what? My children are with their father and Robin’s out with Meredith.” She pursed her lips together. “Meredith went on a date with Lou and it didn’t end very well. From what I gathered she’s trying to recruit Robin to put a good word in with Lou. Give her a second chance.” Micky rose. “How about more wine?”

Mia’s brain worked furiously as she nodded. It was only Tuesday. Surely Lou hadn’t been on any other dates since Sunday. So she had guessed right. The only thing she couldn’t figure out was how Meredith had screwed up the date. They’d looked quite chummy in the cinema.

“I would love more wine.” Mia wasn’t looking forward to the bus ride back to Newtown. Especially as she had to take the same bus in the other direction at six o’clock tomorrow morning. She’d best go easy on the wine.

“You’re welcome to stay in Liv’s room,” Micky said, as though reading her mind. “I know what those early mornings are like.”

“Oh, please, Mia,” Jo said. “I commuted from Newtown to Darlinghurst every single weekday morning for two years.”

“Yes, well, you had a car to take you around, which I don’t.”

“A car that saved me a lot of dough because of not having to pay for the ridiculously expensive and ineffective Sydney public transport system.” Jo was in a feisty mood this morning. “What did you do for knickers, anyway? Did you wash them out in the sink?”

Mia flashed Jo a wide smile. “Even better. I’m not wearing any.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re breaking some hygiene law just by standing here. I should report you to Kristin.”

“Like it has never happened to you.” Mia scrutinized Jo’s face. “What with your lover having her fancy digs so nearby.”

“I have a drawer now. Well, much more than a drawer. A corner of the dressing room. I don’t have nearly enough clothes to fill up my part.”